The Articles of Confederation Questions and Answers
The Articles of Confederation
What powers did the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation?
Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government lacked essential powers, including the ability to enforce laws, regulate interstate and foreign trade, and levy taxes. Without a chief...
The Articles of Confederation
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how the Constitution addressed them
The Articles of Confederation's weaknesses included a lack of central authority, no power to tax, and difficulties in passing laws. The Constitution addressed these by creating a stronger federal...
The Articles of Confederation
Why did the colonists create a weak central government?
The colonists created a weak central government under the Articles of Confederation due to their fear of oppressive rule, similar to that experienced under British colonial power. They sought to...
The Articles of Confederation
Failure of the Articles of Confederation and Solutions by the Constitutional Convention
The Articles of Confederation failed due to the lack of a strong central government, which led to numerous issues like financial instability, military weakness, and interstate conflicts. It did not...
The Articles of Confederation
What are three key achievements of the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation achieved three key outcomes: they enabled America to unify and win the Revolutionary War, marking the nation's first self-governing framework. They established a process...
The Articles of Confederation
What challenges did the American republic face in 1776 and how did the Constitution address them?
In 1776, the American republic faced challenges such as a lack of a strong executive branch, difficulty raising funds, and disputes over state versus federal power. The Constitution addressed these...
The Articles of Confederation
What arguments support the Articles of Confederation?
As a starting point in American democracy and government, the Articles of Confederation have several positive aspects that are sometimes overlooked, such as protecting the rights of individual states.
The Articles of Confederation
How were states represented in Congress under the Articles of Confederation?
Under the Articles of Confederation, each state had between two and seven representatives in Congress, but only one vote per state, regardless of size or population. This unicameral legislature aimed...
The Articles of Confederation
What does Article III of the Articles of Confederation mean?
Article III of the Articles of Confederation established a "firm league of friendship" among the states, committing them to mutual defense and assistance against attacks. However, the article lacked...
The Articles of Confederation
Effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation in governing the United States from 1777 to 1789
The Articles of Confederation were largely ineffective in governing the United States from 1777 to 1789. They created a weak central government with limited powers, lacking authority to tax or...
The Articles of Confederation
What are some positive aspects of the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation were pivotal in establishing the first national government of the United States, securing international legitimacy and financial support, notably from France. They...
The Articles of Confederation
The form of government established by the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation established a confederation form of government in which states retained significant independence and sovereignty. The central government had limited powers, mainly...
The Articles of Confederation
What were the Congress' achievements under the Articles of Confederation?
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress achieved significant milestones, including successfully coordinating the Revolutionary War against Britain, which was vital for American independence. It...
The Articles of Confederation
Effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation for the New Nation
The Articles of Confederation, America's first governmental framework, had limited effectiveness in addressing national issues post-Revolutionary War. While they successfully managed wartime efforts...
The Articles of Confederation
How did the Articles of Confederation impact relations with other nations?
The Articles of Confederation significantly impacted U.S. relations with other nations by creating a weak federal government. Although Congress had the power to make treaties and manage foreign...
The Articles of Confederation
What challenges did the early federal government face in establishing a strong central government from 1789-1820?
From 1789-1820, the early U.S. federal government faced challenges in establishing a strong central authority. The Constitution, limiting federal power, sparked fears of government overreach and...
The Articles of Confederation
How did the Articles of Confederation reflect the American Revolution experience?
The Articles of Confederation reflected the American Revolution's experience by creating a government that limited central power, mirroring the colonists' reaction against British rule. This first...
The Articles of Confederation
What was one success of the Articles of Confederation?
One success of the Articles of Confederation was the effective management and sale of western lands through the Land Ordinance of 1785. This ordinance provided a structured process for organizing and...
The Articles of Confederation
What were the features of the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government, reserving most powers for the states, with no executive or judiciary branches. The central government could make war, coin money,...
The Articles of Confederation
How did the Constitution improve representation compared to the Articles of Confederation?
The Constitution improved representation by establishing a bicameral Congress, addressing the imbalance of the Articles of Confederation, where each state had one vote regardless of size. The...
The Articles of Confederation
What were the advantages and shortcomings of the government under the Articles of Confederation? Why did the Founding...
The Articles of Confederation prioritized state sovereignty, allowing states significant autonomy and limiting federal power. This structure provided limited central governance, with no executive or...
The Articles of Confederation
Why were the Articles of Confederation written for the thirteen colonies?
The Articles of Confederation were written to unite the thirteen colonies during the Revolutionary War and preserve their independence through a loose federal government. They aimed to avoid...
The Articles of Confederation
Land Ordinance Of 1785 Significance
The Land Ordinance of 1785 was a significant policy passed by the U.S. Congress to raise revenue by selling land west of the Appalachian Mountains. It established the Public Land Survey System,...
The Articles of Confederation
How did federalism and the constitutional convention address the Articles of Confederation's issues?
The Constitutional Convention addressed the Articles of Confederation's issues by establishing a federal system, which balanced power between state and federal governments. The federal government...
The Articles of Confederation
What does the 9th article of the Articles of Confederation discuss?
Article 9 of the Articles of Confederation primarily addresses the powers of Congress regarding foreign policy. It grants Congress the authority to declare war, send ambassadors, make treaties, issue...
The Articles of Confederation
What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation were created to establish a new government for the United States after independence from Britain, aiming to prevent the concentration of power that could lead to...
The Articles of Confederation
Why were changes made from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution?
Changes from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution were made because the Articles provided a weak and decentralized government, inadequate for managing national issues like debt, foreign...
The Articles of Confederation
What were the economic, administrative, and legislative weaknesses of the government under the Articles of...
The Articles of Confederation had significant economic, administrative, and legislative weaknesses. Economically, the government couldn't tax directly, relying on states for funds, leading to...
The Articles of Confederation
What is the first written constitution in America?
The first written constitution in America can refer to two documents. For the United States, it is the Articles of Confederation, established after the Revolutionary War to prevent government power...
The Articles of Confederation
What mistakes were made in creating the federal government under the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation created a weak federal government, lacking a strong executive, the power to tax, and the ability to regulate trade. This was due to the framers' fear of centralized...
The Articles of Confederation
What was the government like under the Articles of Confederation?
The government under the Articles of Confederation was characterized by a weak national structure where state governments held most of the power. The national government was limited to a Congress...
The Articles of Confederation
How did the legislature of the Articles of Confederation differ from the Constitution's?
The legislature under the Articles of Confederation was unicameral, with each state having one vote, and representatives appointed by state legislatures. In contrast, the Constitution established a...